MANILA, Philippines — The Archdiocese of Manila has suspended the celebration of the Holy Mass in all churches of the Archdiocese for one week to enforce the social distancing protocol to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19. In a pastoral letter issued on Friday, Manila Apostolic Administrator Broderick Pabillo said any public gathering in all churches of the Archdiocese will be temporarily stopped starting March 14 (Saturday) until March 20 (Friday). ADVERTISEMENT“There will be no public celebration of the Holy Mass and no public activities in all the churches in the Archdiocese for seven days starting March 14 til Friday,” Pabillo said. Pabillo also asked churches to hold individual confessions for penitents instead of organizing “Kumpisalang Bayan” or mass confessions. Despite the health protocol, Pabillo said the faithful should listen to Radyo Veritas 846 and watch TV Maria for regular broadcasts of Masses and church activities.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 13, 2020 06:00 UTC